Ms. Moyne is an intellectual property attorney in the Lansing office of Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, P.C. She has over 15 years of experience in the area of Intellectual Property. Her practice covers all areas of domestic and international intellectual property, including the procurement, maintenance and licensing of patents, trademarks and copyrights. She specializes in the procurement and licensing of patents in the mechanical and electrical fields, computer hardware and software-related inventions, as well as infringement and validity evaluations. She also counsels clients on brand management including trademark selection, acquisition and enforcement.
Ms. Moyne earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1987 and her Juris Doctorate from Wayne State Law School in 1991. She is admitted to practice in the State of Michigan and is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
As one of the first employees of MMIC, Chris started as an intern and has had the unique experience of working on a team to develop an incubator from the ground up. MMIC is a private, non-profit business incubator that focuses on creating an environment where entrepreneurs and start-ups can flourish with the ultimate goal of job creation in the mid-Michigan region. While with MMIC, Chris has held multiple positions including facilities management, marketing, and his current role as program director. Through his work at MMIC, Chris was involved in the start up of the BlueWater Angels investment group. Formalized in February of 2008, BlueWater Angels has grown to over 30 members with over $1.5 million committed for investment on an annual basis. Currently, Chris serves as Associate Director of the group with his work focused in club administration, deal flow development, and member recruitment. In addition, Chris is President of MMIC start-up Elpis Technologies, Inc.; a manufacturer of special effect pigments and performance additives for the paints and coatings industries. Chris serves on the Board of Directors of the MidMichigan Inventors Group as Vice President and is also a member of the Board of Directors at the Milestones Youth Center in Midland, MI. Chris received his BBA in Entrepreneurship Management from Northwood University in 2007.
Opportunity Analysts LLC, a new venture out of Midland, MI aims to help people with great ideas turn into Entrepreneurs. This is done through innovative Incuba8 programs, EntreMeetups, and startup consulting.
Incuba8 was first piloted as a summer program in August 2009. “We organized it in two months and had over 60 people that came to our events, four people from out-of-state. It was a wild success,” said Caryn Shick the 23 year-old founder. Incuba8 has a Concept Crafting Workshop takes ideas and organizes them into a realistic business startup concept. It also has a Business Startup Conference that walks Entrepreneurs through the steps of forming their legal entity, setting up their books, and how to protect their ideas using intellectual capital strategies. Incuba8 will soon have a Entrepreneurs conference in April.
EntreMeetup is a gathering of Entrepreneurs and Social Entrepreneurs that started in Spring 2009. The group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month in Midland, MI. EntreMeetup consistently attracts a diverse group of entrepreneurs, angel investors, scientists, attorneys, and passionate students. The main purpose of the group is to create a community of people that help each other launch and grow their business startup. A lot of the attendees are modern day innovators with game-changing ideas. EntreMeetup was inspired by a a meetup that Caryn Shick attended put on by Ryan Allis, 24- yr-old founder of icontact.com. In less than a year, EntreMeetup has attracted attendees from MI, GA, MA, FL, and AZ.
Opportunity Analysts LLC also provides coaching and consulting. Previous projects include forming marketing plans, business plans, strategic plans, creating pitches, internet branding, and search engine optimization.
Michael Zimmerman is a Principal at Yeo & Yeo, CPAs & Business Consultants, in Midland. He leads the firm’s Computer Accounting Solutions team and is a member of the Construction and Tax teams. His expertise is in tax planning and preparation, management consulting for small businesses, and consulting for personal computer support services. He has 23 years of public accounting experience.
Mr. Zimmerman is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Michigan Association of CPAs, and the Home Builders Association of Midland, and serves as a board member for the Northeastern Michigan Estate Planning Council. He has conducted seminars on income taxes and small business accounting software.
He serves the Midland community as president of the Literacy Council of Midland County, a member of the Leadership Midland Alumni Association, and past president of the Midland Jaycees.
Most operators of a new and growing business have a flair for the environment in which the business operates. They may be a great salesperson, an outstanding mechanic, carpenter, lawyer, or inventor. Unfortunately most people don’t like to keep the books. As an owner of a business you must remember that your company’s books and financial statements represent a score sheet which tells how you are progressing, as well as an early warning system which lets you know when and why the business may be going amiss. Financial statements and the underlying records will provide the basis for many decisions made by outsiders such as banks, landlords, potential investors, and trade creditors as well as taxing authorities and other governing bodies. The necessity for good, well-organized financial records cannot be over-emphasized. One of the greatest mistakes made by owners of small businesses is not keeping good financial records and making improper or poor business decisions based on inadequate information. An accounting or bookkeeping system is like any tool used in your business; it needs to be sophisticated enough to provide the information you need to run your business and simple enough for you to run it (or supervise the bookkeeper). We will guide you through the basics and also share information on accounting software that is easy to use for a new business.
Dr. Reed Shick is the Intellectual Capital Manager for Core Research and Development at The Dow Chemical Company. He is currently responsible to direct and implement protection strategies for intellectual capital including; patent planning and obtention, trade secrets, technology licensed in or out, publication strategy, trademark obtention and obtaining freedom to operate opinions. This includes directing researchers and attorneys to obtain patents on new technology, directing research to obtain patents, and completing competitive analysis. Dr. Shick has made several connections between different technologies in Dow and was a contributor to six Invention Disclosures in 2008.
Reed Shick received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Michigan. During that time period Dr. Shick also co-founded the Midland Charter Initiative, a not-for-profit 501.c.3, which runs the Midland Academy of Advanced and Creative Studies. Dr. Shick has served in several community positions and is currently serving on the Ingersol Township Zoning Board of Appeals. His specialties include intellectual capital management and protection strategies, liquid formulations, surface science, licensing, patent planning, trade secrets, and educational startups. Currently he is interested in pursuing expertise consulting opportunities, new business ventures, and scientific research.
Books Dr. Shick recommends: Visioneering by Andy Stanley and Rembrandts in the Attic: Unlocking the Hidden Value of Patents by Kevin G. ivette
Presentation: Intellectual Primer for Entrepreneurs
Description: Do you have a product concept, but you are not sure how to protect your idea or even how to do a basic patent search? Dr. Shick will be shedding light on a confusing subject to most entrepreneurs, Intellectual Capital. Dr. Shick will be speaking on what IP is and some of the basic tools entrepreneurs can use to review their IP position, IP strategy, and make recommendations specific to the companies represented.
Karen L. Kimble received her Masters in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois followed by her Juris Doctorate from Indiana University in 1980. She also holds a variety of professional memberships, including the AIPLA, USPTO, and the Michigan State Bar. A brief overview of Karen Kimble’s impressive resume includes 38 years of a broad range of IP experience, working knowledge of over 125 countries IP laws and patent uses. Additionally, she has specific expertise in treaties relevant to intellectual property. Karen has written numerous agreements, e.g., JDA, licensing agreements, complex collaborative research arrangements, due diligence for mergers and patent purchases, and “red herring” documents for the SEC. She has also done research agreements, CDA/NDA and other related patent/technology agreements globally, agricultural patents and technology licensing. In addition she has done grant work resulting from NIH, DOD, DOE and small business development through State of Michigan initiatives. Currently she is the President of Technology Law, PLLC which specializes in technology licensing, patent drafting, patent prosecutions, and trademarks.
Presentation: Navigating Trademarks! What most entrepreneurs don’t know will kill their business!
Description: Karen will be discussing the key mistakes entrepreneurs make with regard to trade marks. It is never a good idea to create a product, slap a logo or custom label on your creation, and begin selling to the public. To many small companies have infringed on large company’s trade mark’s and have been taken to court and forced to cease operations, costing the operator precious time and money. Allow Karen Kimble to show you how to do basic trade mark searches and how to safely navigate your product into the marketplace without infringing on other trademarked material.
Braun Kendrick Finkbeiner P.L.C. traces the commencement of practice in mid-Michigan to 1874. The Firm has evolved as a regional practice capable of delivering timely and high quality legal services to its clients throughout (as well as outside) the State of Michigan. With over 40 attorneys, and almost 60 support staff, Braun Kendrick has diverse capabilities allowing us to represent corporations, small businesses, governmental entities, and individuals through seven main practice groups, including labor law, business/corporate/finance/tax, litigation, municipal finance, environmental law, real estate, and estate planning and probate. The Firm maintains offices in Saginaw, Midland and Mt. Pleasant.
Since 1923, Yeo & Yeo, P.C. has provided comprehensive solutions for business, not-for-profit, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, education and government entities. Yeo & Yeo’s Certified Public Accountants provide valuable accounting, tax, audit, financial, estate planning, business and computer consulting services.
Providing professional, personalized service is Yeo & Yeo’s trademark, and giving back to the communities they serve has long been a part of the firm’s culture. Recently Yeo & Yeo was recognized for its dedication to community service with the 2009 Governor’s Corporate Community Leader award.
Yeo & Yeo’s Health Care Services Group provides practice management consulting and billing services for physicians. Yeo & Yeo Computer Consulting, LLC provides integrated accounting software, hardware, networking, and training. The firm has over 200 employees in nine offices throughout Michigan.
The Midland office of Yeo & Yeo is located at 6018 Eastman Avenue. Visit www.yeoandyeo.com for more information about the firm.
Gary E. Gudmundsen received his Juris Doctorate from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. He maintains a general business practice at Braun Kendrick Finkbeiner P.L.C which includes work in the areas of contracts, commercial, employment, and international law. Gary has represented clients with incorporating and organizing businesses, stock and asset acquisitions, and the development and negotiation of intellectual property licensing and technology agreements. He has also assisted clients in drafting and negotiating contracts of all varieties, wage and hour compliance, estate/succession planning and other general business concerns. He has presented at seminars addressing various commercial contracting and business issues, including business entity selection, contract formation, e-commerce, record retention, and wage and hour compliance. Gary is originally from the Tri-City area, being born and raised in Midland, and is involved in several local associations, including the Saginaw County Bar Association, Homebuilders Association of Midland, and Tri-City Chinese Association. He is also a Board Member of Michigan Sports Unlimited, and is a member of the Sports Lawyers Association.
The Mid Michigan Innovation Speaker Series was made possible by funding Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) received through the Mid Michigan Innovation Team (MMIT) in the Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor-Employment and Training Administration.
Rocky Bay Communications is a marketing communications and public relations consultancy, focusing on strategic communications planning and cost-effective, reliable implementation. Clients range from major corporations to small businesses, hospitals, non-profits and individuals.
As marketing communications and public relations experts, Rocky Bay Communications is recognized for:
In-depth strategic communications planning
Issue management
Precise writing and editing for all mediums
Cost-effective solutions
Accuracy and reliability
High ethical standards
A team focus working seamlessly with clients and other agencies
The goal of Rocky Bay Communications is to impress you with top quality work at a fair price. Try us. If at any time you feel we’re not meeting this promise, please contact me right away. I want you to be more than satisfied with what we provide
Barbara J. Muessig is the President of Rocky Bay Communications, a marketing communications and public relations consultancy, focusing on strategic communications planning and cost-effective, reliable implementation. Barbara has a BAA in Journalism/Public Relations, Economics minor from Central Michigan University, Accredited in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America and she has nearly completed her MBA from Central Michigan University. Her professional affiliations include the Public Relations Society of America, White Pine Chapter – Past President & Ethics Officer, and National PRSA board member. During 2004 and 2005 Barbara served as the Program Manager for Northwood University’s Alpena Center Program, and in 2007-2008 she was the acting Global Marketing Communications Leader for Life Sciences at Dow Corning Corp. Barb loves diverse challenges and the opportunity to influence organizations throughout all stages of their growth.
Gary Bellaver received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University in 1986, and has worked for the Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan for 23 years. His career started in day-to-day commercial scale manufacturing in Dow Pharmaceuticals, participating and leading production processes responsible for the active ingredients for some of the largest volume prescription drugs in history. Over the course of 20 years spent in Dow Pharmaceuticals, his key job responsibilities evolved from production engineering, capital project management, leading scale up of developmental processes to full commercial scale, financial analysis and value proposition creation of new opportunities, to negotiations with new customers interested in Dow’s pharmaceutical manufacturing offerings. Over the course of this time, he has accumulated a broad understanding of industrial chemical engineering, project and program management, financial and business analysis, and FDA / EPA regulatory principles.
In 2006, Gary transitioned into Dow’s Technology and Licensing business, and currently holds the title of Senior Leader, Dow Technology & Licensing. In this role, he is responsible for Dow’s methodology for valuation of the Corporation’s Intellectual Property, valuation of specific licensing inquiries and projects, and constructing, presenting, and negotiating value propositions and license contracts with external clients.
Description: This presentation will focus on the critical aspects of licensing as it pertains to a business. Basic concepts such as types of licenses, important terms and conditions, resources for creating and sustaining a license business, and valuation of licensed intellectual property will be discussed.
Christina graduated in May 2008 from Saginaw Valley State University with a B.A. in Graphic Design and a minor in English. She was the Public Information Officer for SVSU’s student association, and a photojournalist for the Valley Vanguard, SVSU’s newspaper. Christina is on the leadership team for Living Word Church’s Young Adult and Life Groups. She enjoy photography, graphic design, and working with young people. Christina is currently involved in a startup called SiteFarm as a photographer and designer.
Blake Imeson is pursuing his Bachelors of Science in Entrepreneurship at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. He is the founder and lead consultant for Sparkplug SEO, a small search engine optimization and web development company. Blake is also a passionate internet technologist, and a huge fan of the opensource projects, Firefox and WordPress. He has been a featured speaker at conferences and seminars on new internet technology, Search Engine Optimization, social media, blogging, and WordPress. When not glued to the computer screen, he enjoys woodworking and being in the mountains. Blake loves helping people with their web projects and is involved in a multitude of exciting web ventures. Blake is an avid blogger and zealous follower of more than 200 blogs. His favorite blogs are Seth Godin’s and Lifehacker.